Depression

What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that affects how you feel and behave. For many with depression, persistent feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in their usual activities becomes serious enough to interfere with their quality of life and may result in thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

The symptoms of depression may be the result of changes in your brain chemistry, hormonal fluctuations, or due to your genetic makeup. You may also develop a worsening in your depression symptoms due to environmental factors, like life changes or too much stress.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression affects people differently with the condition causing symptoms that range from mild to debilitating. Common symptoms that may indicate depression can include:

• Persistent sadness
• Irritability or frustration
• Loss of interest in activities
• Sleep disturbances or insomnia
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Suicidal thoughts or actions of self-harm

Some people may experience mild feelings of depression during stressful situations, but if symptoms become serious enough to affect your job or other day-to-day activities, you should schedule an evaluation with Dr. Kumar as soon as possible.

What treatments are available for depression?

Dr. Kumar takes the time to listen to your symptoms and discusses the factors of your life that may be influencing your depressive issues. Once he understands the severity of your symptoms and the possible causes, he creates a treatment plan, tailoring services to your specific needs.

If your depression relates to biological factors, such as hormone changes during menopause, Dr. Kumar may prescribe antidepressant medications. He works closely with you to make adjustments to your medicines and ensure you’re in control of your physical and emotional health.

In some cases, Dr. Kumar may also provide a referral to a reliable psychologist for behavioral and other types of therapy to help you manage depression and the factors that may be influencing your symptoms.

Dr. Kumar can also work with you on lifestyle modifications to prevent depression symptoms, such as eating a healthy diet, getting daily physical exercises, and learning stress reduction techniques.

Don’t delay an evaluation for depression. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kumar today, online or by phone, to find solutions to protect your emotional and mental health.